USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 15, 2024

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 15, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Ships Underway

In the Philippine Sea

USS America (LHA-6) left for an underway period last Monday, according to ship spotters and is conducting routine operations in the Philippine Sea. America will change homeports later this year, USNI News has learned.

In the South China Sea

U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is operating in the South China Sea after completing a port visit to the Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh Bay on July 12, according to a news release from 7th Fleet.

In the Gulf of Aden

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on Friday “to deter aggression, promote regional stability, and protect the free flow of commerce in the region,” according to U.S. Central Command. The carrier operated alongside forces from the U.S. Air Force, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force in the Indian Ocean on its way to the Middle East.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

• The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Fighting Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.

• USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
• USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Hawaiian Operating Areas

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, last Monday for the underway phase of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise.

In the Eastern Pacific

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) departed San Diego, Calif., on Thursday for a scheduled deployment on July 11, USNI News reported.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 9

• The “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Black Aces” of VFA 41 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 – F-35C – from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
• The “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
A cruiser has not yet been identified as attached to the carrier strike group.

Destroyer Squadron 21

Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego and is embarked in Abraham Lincoln.

• USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet, USNI News has learned.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) arrived in San Diego, Calif., for a scheduled port visit before transiting the Pacific Ocean en route its new home port of Yokosuka, Japan as the replacement for Ronald Reagan. The Navy plans to hold a ceremony marking the transfer in San Diego, USNI News has learned.

Reagan will head to Washington state later this year for a planned repair availability.

USS Boxer (LHD 4) Wasp-class amphibious assault ship coming into Alpha Pier in San Diego – July 14, 2024 #ussboxer #lhd4

SRC: webcam pic.twitter.com/XGurHnYGqU

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) July 14, 2024

Amphibious assault ship, USS Boxer (LHD-4) arrived in San Diego, Calif., on Sunday, according to ship spotters. Boxer was in port in San Diego receiving emergent repairs on a rudder casualty discovered shortly after departing on deployment on April 1.

In a statement, an Expeditionary Strike Group 3 spokesperson told USNI News that Boxer‘s repairs were completed and the ship would deploy with elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) arrived in San Diego, Calif., on Thursday and departed on Friday, according to ship spotters.

In the Mediterranean Sea

USS Wasp (LHD-1) pulled into Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, on July 8, according to a statement from the service.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG is made up of Wasp, USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element.

The temporary U.S.-built pier aimed at boosting aid shipments to Gaza will not be reinstalled due to continuing challenges with weather and rough seas, according to Pentagon officials. The plan to return the pier to the U.S. had not been outlined as of last week.

In the Red Sea

U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.

The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed two uncrewed aerial vehicles over the Red Sea and one uncrewed surface vessel in the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces also destroyed one Houthi UAV in Yemen.

On Friday, CENTCOM forces destroyed three Houthi UAVs in Yemen.

On Thursday, CENTCOM forces destroyed five Houthi USVs in the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces also successfully destroyed two Houthi UAV over the Red Sea and one Houthi UAV in Yemen.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Red Sea and a Houthi unmanned surface vehicle in the Red Sea.

On Tuesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed a Houthi UAV in Yemen.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In the Western Atlantic

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) arrived in its homeport of Norfolk, Va., on Sunday, completing a 9-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Middle East.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

• The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
• The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.

Cruiser
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.

• USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.